What social and environmental impacts have the processes of urban growth and decline had on the Sydney foreshore area?
There are several urban processes visible along the Sydney foreshore area, all of which have impacted on the area socially and environmentally. They have occurred over the past two centuries as a result of the changing land use of the area and this has caused many problems such as overshadowing, traffic congestion, high density housing and various forms of pollution, all of which were observed during our field study excursion (Fig.1.1 & Fig.1.2).
Fig 1.1 Walsh Bay, early 20th century
Fig1. 2. Walsh Bay 2011
In this report I will discuss the urban processes found in the field study area, which includes Darling Harbour/Pyrmont, Millers Point, Walsh Bay and Circular Quay (Fig.1.3), the impacts and issues occurring because of these processes and stakeholders involved in each area.
The methods of investigation we used to gather information were from a range of primary and secondary sources. Primary sources included field sketches, direct observation, as well as various tests conducted at Walsh Bay and outside the Sydney Aquarium (sound levels, wind speed, water testing and temperature). Photographs were taken throughout the day in the field study area and interviews were conducted at Circular Quay in the afternoon. Secondary sources include in-class notes and powerpoints, internet sites, maps and newspaper articles. Darling Harbour/Pyrmont (Fig.1.4)
Over the past two centuries, areas of Darling Harbour/Pyrmont have undergone a series of urban processes and the past 30 years have turned the area into a largely residential and tourist region. When we visited the area in our field study, we observed the processes of urban renewal and consolidation. Renewal is the processes of redeveloping urban slums and other urban areas. Consolidation is when buildings are deliberately built to make use of the limited land space. Figure 1.5 and 1.6 are great examples of urban renewal and consolidation as they effectively demonstrate high density housing, and how the buildings make best use of the limited space. This however causes many problems such as overshadowing, obscured views and privacy issues for residents.
When it comes to the redevelopment of urban areas, there are several impacts and issues. Renewal unquestionably brings in more people and this results in an increased demand for transport and roads. Since the Western Distributor Freeway (Fig.1.7) is located in the area, noise pollution is a prominent impact. This has meant that architects have had to think about double glazing and building noise barriers to block out noise made by passing traffic (Fig.1.8).
There are several different groups in government and residents who are stakeholders when it comes to matters concerning the Sydney foreshore region. These include the Sydney Harbour Foreshore Authority (SHFA) and the City of Sydney Council, who look after the maintenance, general hygiene and waste management of the area. There are also business owners and residents as well as tourists who visit the area (Fig.1.9).
There are management strategies and policies that have been put in place to lessen the negative impact of urban renewal and consolidation. These include building height restrictions to prevent overshadowing and providing enough garbage bins to reduce rubbish in the water. Replacing ordinary bins with ones with proper cigarette disposal sections was an effective policy. This was found to be true. When we conducted our water tests in this area, the nitrate, phosphate and pH levels were extremely good with results of 1ppm, 1ppm and 7 respectively (Fig.2.1).
Although current policies are effective, I think there are still many things the area can improve upon. In the Darling Harbour area, residential housing is located on top of businesses (such as bars). These businesses often play loud music late at night and though the customers may enjoy it, the residents will beg to differ. A restriction of the time in which bars play loud music may be a welcome strategy for many residents. Urban renewal can often lead to the demolition of older buildings. I think heritage ought to be preserved. Millers Point (Fig.2.2)
In Millers Point we observed urban growth, although there were many building in a state of decline. Urban decline is the process occurring when an urban area begins to lose business, people lose jobs and move away, causing the local economy to decline with the population. The Palisade Hotel is an example of urban decay. What was once a flourishing business has now become largely unused. As less people went there, hygiene levels fell as did the popularity. Visible impacts included traffic congestion and pollution caused by construction. Issues that have arisen include the selling of public housing and the maintenance of heritage building. Walsh Bay
At Walsh Bay we observed many urban processes one of which was gentrification. Gentrification occurs when an upper or middle class family redevelops a property, increasing its value and desirability.
The old pulley system, displayed in Figure 2.3 is an example of sympathetic infill � preservation of heritage. This area was previously used for industry and shipping and, after being redesigned, has now become a largely residential area, also used for business and the arts precinct development.
Issues that have arisen from this include restriction of public access and an increase in population density, resulting in more traffic. This will result in the need for a better waste management strategy. Stakeholders in this area include the SHFA, residents and the National Trust. The issue of increased traffic is being managed with more parking underground.
In conclusion, due to the processes of urban growth and decline, there are many social and environmental issues which have impacted on the Sydney Harbour region. These include overshadowing, traffic congestion and various forms of pollution. I have seen that height restriction policies can limit overshadowing, traffic can be avoided by using other means of transport and pollution can be decreased by simply adding more bins. If these management strategies are followed correctly, we will be on our way to a more efficient, clean environment.
There are several urban processes visible along the Sydney foreshore area, all of which have impacted on the area socially and environmentally. They have occurred over the past two centuries as a result of the changing land use of the area and this has caused many problems such as overshadowing, traffic congestion, high density housing and various forms of pollution, all of which were observed during our field study excursion (Fig.1.1 & Fig.1.2).
Fig 1.1 Walsh Bay, early 20th century
Fig1. 2. Walsh Bay 2011
In this report I will discuss the urban processes found in the field study area, which includes Darling Harbour/Pyrmont, Millers Point, Walsh Bay and Circular Quay (Fig.1.3), the impacts and issues occurring because of these processes and stakeholders involved in each area.
The methods of investigation we used to gather information were from a range of primary and secondary sources. Primary sources included field sketches, direct observation, as well as various tests conducted at Walsh Bay and outside the Sydney Aquarium (sound levels, wind speed, water testing and temperature). Photographs were taken throughout the day in the field study area and interviews were conducted at Circular Quay in the afternoon. Secondary sources include in-class notes and powerpoints, internet sites, maps and newspaper articles.
Darling Harbour/Pyrmont (Fig.1.4)
Over the past two centuries, areas of Darling Harbour/Pyrmont have undergone a series of urban processes and the past 30 years have turned the area into a largely residential and tourist region. When we visited the area in our field study, we observed the processes of urban renewal and consolidation. Renewal is the processes of redeveloping urban slums and other urban areas. Consolidation is when buildings are deliberately built to make use of the limited land space. Figure 1.5 and 1.6 are great examples of urban renewal and consolidation as they effectively demonstrate high density housing, and how the buildings make best use of the limited space. This however causes many problems such as overshadowing, obscured views and privacy issues for residents.
When it comes to the redevelopment of urban areas, there are several impacts and issues. Renewal unquestionably brings in more people and this results in an increased demand for transport and roads. Since the Western Distributor Freeway (Fig.1.7) is located in the area, noise pollution is a prominent impact. This has meant that architects have had to think about double glazing and building noise barriers to block out noise made by passing traffic (Fig.1.8).
There are several different groups in government and residents who are stakeholders when it comes to matters concerning the Sydney foreshore region. These include the Sydney Harbour Foreshore Authority (SHFA) and the City of Sydney Council, who look after the maintenance, general hygiene and waste management of the area. There are also business owners and residents as well as tourists who visit the area (Fig.1.9).
There are management strategies and policies that have been put in place to lessen the negative impact of urban renewal and consolidation. These include building height restrictions to prevent overshadowing and providing enough garbage bins to reduce rubbish in the water. Replacing ordinary bins with ones with proper cigarette disposal sections was an effective policy. This was found to be true. When we conducted our water tests in this area, the nitrate, phosphate and pH levels were extremely good with results of 1ppm, 1ppm and 7 respectively (Fig.2.1).
Although current policies are effective, I think there are still many things the area can improve upon. In the Darling Harbour area, residential housing is located on top of businesses (such as bars). These businesses often play loud music late at night and though the customers may enjoy it, the residents will beg to differ. A restriction of the time in which bars play loud music may be a welcome strategy for many residents. Urban renewal can often lead to the demolition of older buildings. I think heritage ought to be preserved.
Millers Point (Fig.2.2)
In Millers Point we observed urban growth, although there were many building in a state of decline. Urban decline is the process occurring when an urban area begins to lose business, people lose jobs and move away, causing the local economy to decline with the population. The Palisade Hotel is an example of urban decay. What was once a flourishing business has now become largely unused. As less people went there, hygiene levels fell as did the popularity. Visible impacts included traffic congestion and pollution caused by construction. Issues that have arisen include the selling of public housing and the maintenance of heritage building.
Walsh Bay
At Walsh Bay we observed many urban processes one of which was gentrification. Gentrification occurs when an upper or middle class family redevelops a property, increasing its value and desirability.
The old pulley system, displayed in Figure 2.3 is an example of sympathetic infill � preservation of heritage. This area was previously used for industry and shipping and, after being redesigned, has now become a largely residential area, also used for business and the arts precinct development.
Issues that have arisen from this include restriction of public access and an increase in population density, resulting in more traffic. This will result in the need for a better waste management strategy. Stakeholders in this area include the SHFA, residents and the National Trust. The issue of increased traffic is being managed with more parking underground.
In conclusion, due to the processes of urban growth and decline, there are many social and environmental issues which have impacted on the Sydney Harbour region. These include overshadowing, traffic congestion and various forms of pollution. I have seen that height restriction policies can limit overshadowing, traffic can be avoided by using other means of transport and pollution can be decreased by simply adding more bins. If these management strategies are followed correctly, we will be on our way to a more efficient, clean environment.